FAA Proposes Bolt Checks for Helicopter Tail Rotors – Comments Due
Published Date: 3/13/2026
Proposed Rule
Summary
The FAA wants helicopter owners to check certain parts regularly because some bolts and housings can get tired and cause dangerous problems with the tail rotor. They’re asking for inspections, updates to manuals, and tracking part life to keep flights safe. Comments are open until April 27, 2026, and these changes might cost some time and money but will keep helicopters flying safely.
Analyzed Economic Effects
5 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 5 costs, 0 mixed.
Daily Preflight Inspection Requirement
If you operate one of the affected helicopters, you must do a preflight visual check before the first flight each day of the auxiliary servo assembly, lockwire, and attachment hardware. The FAA estimates 1 work-hour per inspection at $85 each, with a per-inspection cost on U.S. operators of $6,460 per inspection cycle (affecting 76 helicopters).
Fluorescent Penetrant Inspection (FPI) Mandate
You must perform a fluorescent penetrant inspection (FPI) of the yaw pedal damper check valve housing within 150 hours time-in-service (TIS) or 4 months after the AD's effective date, whichever occurs first. The FAA estimates the inspection at 15 work-hours ($1,275) per product; the FPI ends the required daily checks and then requires a visual inspection every 15 hours TIS thereafter.
30,000-Hour Service Life Limit and Recordkeeping
Within 10 hours TIS you must determine and record the remaining life of the yaw pedal damper check valve housing (part number S6165-61517); you must remove it from service before it reaches 30,000 total hours TIS or within 60 days after the AD's effective date, whichever is later. The FAA estimates 3 work-hours ($255) to determine life and 1 work-hour ($85) to record the life limit; replacement (if needed) is estimated at about $1,285 per housing.
Special Flight Permits Prohibited
Special flight permits to operate affected helicopters under this AD are prohibited. If you need to address the unsafe condition, you cannot rely on a special flight permit to fly the helicopter to a maintenance facility under this AD.
Who Is Covered — 76 U.S. Helicopters Listed
This proposed AD applies to specific models listed in paragraphs (c)(1)–(7) (various S-61 and CH-3 variants and related models) and the FAA estimates it would affect 76 helicopters on the U.S. registry.
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